We Support our Charities

The Borgess Run for the Health of It continues the proud tradition of making it possible for participants and partners to improve their own health while helping others. Our beneficiaries are four children’s charities.

The opportunity exists for direct contributions upon registering. There will also be specific fund raising activities throughout race weekend. Each charity also has pledge sheets to assist in their existing fund-raising efforts. Contact your charity of choice directly if you wish to run on its behalf.

Other charities are welcome to create their own fund raising goals with the Borgess Run for the Health of It, but they must do so on their own.

The charities supported by the Borgess Run for the Health of It are:

Girls on the Run of Greater Kalamazoo

Girls on the Run is a life-changing, character development program for girls in 3rd through 8th grade. Its mission is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. The power of running provides girls with the tools to: celebrate their bodies, honor their voices, recognize their gifts and activate their personal power. Runners can take part in a Borgess Run event as a Girls on the Run SoleMate– and the cost of training through the Borgess Run Camp will be waived (a $75 value). Run for you, run for the girls!

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kalamazoo

From arts and crafts to tutoring and professional development, the Boys & Girls Clubs not only play a role in the lives of the members, but also in the lives of their families. “The Boys & Girls Clubs have established a tradition of unconditional support from family members who have experienced the Club,” says Bob Ezelle, Executive Director. “We see so many past members that now bring their children and their grandchildren to the Club because of the importance the Club has had in their lives.”

YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo

For more than 140 years, the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo has shared a commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of responsibility. The YMCA is a leading non-profit committed to strengthening the community and youth through activities such as swim lessons, summer camp adventures, youth sports, service learning and more. It prides itself on being accessible to all people, offering financial assistance to individuals and families who cannot otherwise afford to be part of the Y.

Borgess Foundation – Healthy Babies

Mothers-to-be want to develop and nurture healthy babies, and so does Borgess. Through our combination of compassionate care and medical expertise, the Borgess Birthing Center helps families before, during and after the birth of their child. That’s our commitment to the more than 1,300 families each year who we feel proud and privileged to serve. Moms-to-be, their babies and their families will experience lots of “firsts” together. Throughout these amazing “firsts,” the goal of the Borgess Birthing Center is to provide a welcoming, comfortable and personal experience for labor and delivery of their Gorgeous Borgess Baby.